Angelalign Challenges Chinese Patent Ruling Over Orthodontic Software

The August 10 ruling from the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court remains non-binding while the appeal process unfolds. CEO Fox Hu emphasized that the preliminary judgment carries no immediate consequences for patients or practitioners, as the company continues to provide its services without interruption. Angelalign frames the dispute as part of a broader, ongoing legal conflict with Align Technology, which has pursued similar patent infringement claims across multiple international jurisdictions.

Legal momentum remains mixed for both parties. In May 2026, the Unified Patent Court in Düsseldorf rejected a request for a preliminary injunction against the same A7 solution, a decision that has since become final. Furthermore, the Zhengzhou Intermediate People’s Court dismissed two separate patent claims brought by the same plaintiff against Angelalign in June. With a market capitalization of $2 billion and a portfolio spanning over 60 countries, the company asserts that it will defend its intellectual property rights and continue its global expansion strategy, which recently included opening a 52,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the United States.